The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

for U.S. forces.
My briefers at TRADOC referred to this
kind of conflict as “asymmetric warfare”.
And as I listened to the briefing, I thought
back on my military history and I realized
the truth of the old cliché that there is “nothing
new under the sun.” Let me give you a
couple of examples:
(Examples were from Indian Wars and
how the terrain was well known to the
Indians.–Ed)
This was the experience of Task Force
Smith and the other units which were
among the first to deploy to Korea.
Historians can argue over why we were so
unprepared for conflict in Korea. Perhaps it
was overconfidence after our great victory
in World War II. Perhaps it was the tendency
of the U.S. to “bring the boys home”
immediately after a war- a tendency then-
Major George C. Marshall noted in a 1923
speech - which led to cuts in the military
that were too deep in a still-dangerous
world.
Whatever the reason for our un-preparedness,
there can be no disagreement
on this: No group of Americans ever fought
more bravely than those we called upon to
serve in the Korean War. In the past decade,
a lot of people have stepped forward to take
credit for winning the Cold War.
Let me tell who should get the credit. It
is these Korean War veterans who are with
us today. Their courage, their sacrifices,
drew a line in sand against Communist
expansion. There would be other battles - in
Vietnam and in other places around the
globe. But in Korea, a country most
Americans had never heard of before 1950,
the message was sent. America would fight
to preserve freedom. We owe you a debt of
gratitude we can never repay. Indeed, the
whole world owes you a debt of gratitude. It
is not enough, but I just want to say, “Thank
you.”
(Thank you Robert Mount for photo and letter.
A special event for deserving veterans. I
am sure the speech By Former Congressman
Ike Skelton was very moving, especially the
Korean War outline for the Korean War
Veterans in attendance. As I read it I was very
moved and proud and I m sure all our Korean
Veteran Graybeards members will feel the
same. I took you up on printing selected parts
per your letter. Nine pages was too much to
print even though all were worthy.)
National VA/VS Representative Report
Afew items have arisen since the last
report. The major one is that the representatives
or deputies are not attending meetings.
We have been removed from these
facilities. It is also interesting that they have
come from two states where the departments
want to set up their VA/VS program.
The VA/VS program is outlined in VHA
handbook 1620 series. It outlines the requirement
of the organizations to follow, the
appointment of representatives and deputies,
and the certifying person. At present, I am
the certifying officer of the VA/VS for our
organization.
When requesting a certification, you must
send me the persons who are to be certified
as to names, addresses, city, state, zip code
and phone number. This is a must. In the
past, I have faxed, mailed and left messages
on voice mail of just names. Without the
required information, I can not certify them.
Update
Korean War Ex-POW
Excerpts taken from Korean War Ex-POW
Newsletter
The latest newsletter had not arrived by
press time thus, I elected to substitute the
following article—Ed.
On Saturday April 28, members of
Taejon Chapter #170, Saddle Brook, N.J.
paid their respects at the grave of the
chapters first Commander Walter Bray. If
you met Walter you would know he was
By Michael Mahoney
The VHA handbook 1620 is available at
the VA facility you wish to participate in.
As for VISN VA/VS representative/
deputy meetings being schedule in your
areas, they will lay out the program in a good
understanding of it’s needs.
Now it is time to stop preaching to a few
and let you now that the program is still proceeding
in a good direction. We are represented
by 68 chapters in over 55 facilities.
The ground work has been established, lets
keep going forward.
I am in the process of revising the areas
where the national deputy representatives
will be in and will appoint the allowed number
of deputies so that there is not large areas
for them to cover the present deputies will
remain in place.
In closing, again thanks for the support
and god bless!, remember this is a volunteer
program and keep it that way.
someone special, a remarkable person.
Walter Bray was a Prisoner of War for 31
months and the recipient of three Purple
Hearts. He was a true veteran of this
Country’s Wars. Those of us that knew
him miss him and we met once again to
pay tribute to him and what he stood for.
His daughter Lillian placed flowers on the
grave as Taejon Chapter Commander
John Meuser led members in a salute to
our fallen brother. Chapter Chaplain Col.
Jack O’Neil (Ret.) led
the men in prayer and
a moment of silence.
May you rest
peacefully in your
Father’s House,
Walter.
(Thank you Louis
Quagliero for photo
and letter. I did meet
Walter during the
Highway Dedication
a few years back. He
truly was a person of
high standards and
deeds. We miss him
also. Editor)
September/October, 2001 Page 11